How did this Cedric Bixler-Zavala project fly under so many people's radars?

Ok, I lied, Cedric Bixler-Zavala isn't part of this album, but you wouldn't have known that if you listened and I didn't tell you. In fact, this Croatian bands sounds like the lovechild of The Mars Volta and Mr. Bungle, while still maintaining a unique approach.

Them Moose Rush are mostly progressive rock, but don't think of long epics and rehashes of the '70s here, as they drench their music in heavy post-hardcore and noise rock seasonings and a healthy dose of offbeat humour. So what we find here is quite absolute insanity - not really avant-garde insanity but insanity nonetheless.

Don't Pick Your Nose is full of short songs, or at least short for prog standards, since most of the songs are under 5 minutes, with the longest barely stepping over 6. And while the band doesn't really tread in pop waters, the music is insanely catchy, both because of Nikola Runjavec infectious, screechy vocals and the ridiculously tight songwriting. Thus, the music manages to be technically complex at times, but never loses the humming-along factor. The band oozes confidence all over the record, and you're gonna feel it, damn it.

Geez, I have no more ways to say how infectious and energetic the music is, just listening to "A Lethal Dose Of Pretty" and the little "dududu" vocal line coupled with the funky bass should be enough, but nah, the album is full of memorable choruses (think "Radio Violence" for the best offender) and plenty of jams bordering either on psychedelic or on something like a Polvo record. And with a length of barely over 40 minutes, the album is just long enough to be packed with punch after punch of unorthodox prog and just short enough to not have any filler at all.

And sure, you can trace Them Moose Rush' influences quite clearly so you can't claim they're entirely original or anything, but in a genre oversaturated by Genesis and Dream Theater clones, damn right they feel like a breath of fresh air.